SECRETIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 229 



In describing a sputum a single predomi- 

 nating characteristic is selected. Thus as 



D ESCRIPTION 



c, types we have the mucoid, the purulent, 



OF A Sputum. -^ ^ ' r ' 



the serous, and the sanguineous. Where 

 two or more elements are plainly mingled, 

 such terms as muco-purulent, muco-serous, sero-san- 

 guineous, and sanguino-mucopurulent, are used to de- 

 scribe it. 



Sputum is most frequently examined for the tubercle 

 bacillus, and where it is to be submitted to an expert 

 with this object in view, the following directions should 

 be observed : "Collect the sputum in a clean one or two- 

 ounce bottle with a wide mouth and a water-tight stop- 

 per. The bottle should be labeled with the name of the 

 patient. The sputum coughed up in the early morn- 

 ing is to be preferred. If the expectoration be scanty, 

 the entire amount coughed up in the twenty-four hours 

 should be collected. Care should be taken that the con- 

 tents of the stomach, food, etc., are not ejected during 

 the act of coughing, and collected instead of pulmonary 

 sputum. Purulent, cheesy, and muco-purulent sputa 

 most frequently contain tubercle bacilli; pure mucus, 

 blood, or saliva do not as a rule contain them. When 

 haemorrhage has occurred, if possible some purulent, 

 cheesy, or muco-purulent sputum should be collected 

 for examination. The sputum should be forwarded in 

 as fresh a condition as possible." 



